Arrest, interrogation of Wadume, described as scripted, media trial

There appears to be no shifting of grounds by the Army and Police over the killing of operatives of the Intelligence Response Team, IRT, even after the notorious millionaire kidnap kingpin, Alhaji Hamisu Wadume, arrested on Monday night in Kano, confessed that he was aided to escape by soldiers that opened fire on the vehicle taking him from Ibbi to Jalingo.

Indication to this effect emerged yesterday, when a top military source described Wadume’s confession as a cooked script to find the Army guilty and media trial by the Police.

The source, who wondered why Wadume, a subject of a presidential investigation, was interrogated without the invitation of any Army representative, also asked why the Police is pre-empting the presidential panel’s investigation?

The source said: “Following the arrest of the millionaire kidnap kingpin and his video broadcast which was released by the Police, certain pertinent questions have become necessary. It is no secret that an all-encompassing Presidential Investigation Committee set up by the Defence Headquarters is currently investigating the allegations of his escape.

“Why have the Police decided to come out with a statement directly accusing the Army before the presidential panel, which is almost concluding investigation, rounds up? What is the rush in pre-empting the panel’s report? And in the [police statement, why was little or no mention made about the major issue; that is the crime of kidnapping which is supposed to be the focus of Alhaji Hamisu Wadume’s arrest?

“Both the Police and the Army are federal institutions with constitutional mandates of ensuring peace, security and fighting criminality in all forms. Aside the initial statement reacting to the Police and the condolence letter to the Inspector-General of Police by the Chief of Army Staff, the Army has kept its cool by not issuing any release or granting any interview since the beginning of the incident.

“It is, therefore, unprofessional and morally wrong for any of the two institutions to resort to unnecessary media trial, sponsoring media attacks and negative commentaries, thereby whipping up sentiments against the other.